The 2026 Home Run Derby Was The Greatest Of All Time | Schein Time

Now to baseball, where I think a dying home run derby was revived last night. I'll go beyond that to say, this was the greatest home run derby in the history of home run derbies. Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker hit six consecutive home runs in the final to stun the Philly crowd, who is rooting feverishly for their guy, Kyle Schwarber. Walker became the first player in Cardinals franchise history to take the derby crown. Listen, this was absolutely remarkable. The theater, the drama, and Walker was down to his final swing. And if any of them didn't go over the fence, Schwarber wins. And I just love the Philly fans. I loved everything about the energy. I loved the boos. I loved when they were booing Contreras, who was going up against Schwarber. I loved when they were booing Walker. The fans were a huge part of this, adding to the drama to make this the single greatest home run derby we've ever seen. I picked, as you know, on Shine Time, Kyle Schwarber to win the home run derby. I thought the best thing for baseball last night would be to ultimately see Schwarber or Harper win the home run derby. As it turned out, the best thing for baseball was for Walker to steal it. It was over. All he had to do was not hit a home run on one of his last six swings, and Schwarber wins. I mean, it was done. And then Walker just hit homer after homer after homer. Also, they got rid of the clock. That was huge. I hated the clock. Think about old school, when you would go with your mom or your dad to batting practice to watch the big guns hit bombs, right? And you're sitting there, and you just want to see a batter dig in and absolutely mash one. I mean, for me, I used to love watching, you know, Barry Bonds or Juan Gonzalez in batting practice. I mean, those were great times. I don't need a clock. I just want to see them dig in. I want to see them get a nice grip, a pine tar, and then just absolutely bash the hell out of the baseball. That was the beauty of last night. And to see Walker do what he did, and that's incredible. His mom was there. His dad was there. The fans are chanting for Walker's dad. You get to learn something about maybe a player that you don't know a lot about in terms of Walker and who he is and what he brings to the table for the St. Louis Cardinals. Man, what a great night for baseball. That was as dramatic, as pulsating, as wonderful as a homerun derby as you'll ever see. I think that having it in Northeast City, specifically Philly, where you had a couple of prodigious sluggers from the Phillies in the homerun derby, the fans were such an amazing part of it last night in terms of the drama and the pageantry and the feel. Man, and then to see Schwarber's reaction as you see Walker hit the homerun and that Netflix shot of you see Schwarber standing there and Harper's right behind him. No one could believe that Walker just kept hitting homer after homer after homer. I mean, there are some homerun derbies you'll never forget. Josh Hamilton, Ted Williams. You can start going through whatever you want in the history of baseball. That was unreal. I love when baseball's on center stage. I love when everyone is buzzing about baseball. I even like when you take flyers like last night of like, here's Will Ferrell, here's Luke Wilson, the Michael Buffer. It's going to be all the pomp and circumstance you need. Whether it worked, whether it didn't, to me it doesn't matter. It's a show when it comes to Major League Baseball. And I thought last night, that was everything great for baseball. Great passionate fans in Philly, drama with Schwarber, and the fact that Walker was able to do what he did, six straight bombs to steal victory from my guy Kyle Schwarber, best thing I've ever seen in terms of those prodigious blasts for a homerun derby. Mike Trout was in attendance last night. He's going to lead off for the American League tonight in his 12th All-Star game. Maybe those rabid fans in Philly would like to see him come back and play close to home. He was asked about it. Here's what he had to say. I didn't think I was going to hear this question today. You know, I hear this a lot. Like I said, I enjoy coming to Philly. I'm an angel, obviously. I got no trade clause. So, it's ultimately my decision. But, like I said, I enjoy coming to Philly. So, I love Philly. Not going anywhere, no matter what? Can I say? Yeah. I mean, I answer this question a lot. He opened that up. Yeah, no. I answer this question a lot. Like I said, I got the no trade clause. It's obviously my decision. You know, I'm with the angels. So, that's what I'm saying. Free Mike Trout! Listen, I thought what he said and what he didn't say was noteworthy. And, here's the deal. We've talked about this on Shine Time. The angels are the worst. Worst owner in sports. Worst owner in baseball. And, it's sad. And, Mike Trout did something great. And, he said he idolizes Derek Jeter. And, Jeter stayed with the Yankees his entire career. I talked to Jeter today on my SiriusXM radio show. And, he said he doesn't like to give people advice on things where he doesn't have knowledge on. Right? He was always loyal to the Yankees. The Yankees were loyal to him. That's what he told me today on radio. So, he would be reluctant to give Trout advice. But, Jeter does think staying in one place is special. And, I know that Trout thinks that as well. I don't think when you factor in injuries and contract, there are going to be multiple suitors lined up here to trade for Mike Trout. The only exception is Philly. It's got to be Philly. Free Mike Trout. See, Mike Trout is unbelievable. Mike Trout is sensational. Mike Trout is, to me, had the greatest start to a career. History of Major League Baseball. I don't think there's any question about that. I have not only said that, Jason Stark has written that. But, Trout languishing on a team that no one pays attention to or cares about because the owner ruined everything. Listen, I, at the end of the day, I think that is a ... I am praying to the sports gods that Mike Trout gets out. And, I want to see him in Philly. Like, I'm trying to rationalize, is there another team? He's not going to the Yankees. The Yankees are not going to take on that contract. He's not going to the Red Sox. I don't see him going to the Cubs. I don't see him going to the Dodgers. I think the only team, based upon location, he's a diehard Philly fan. During his media session, he was campaigning for LeBron James to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. You could tell on that answer, on that sound bite we played, I think Trout is considering it. If Philly comes calling, I think Trout's going to be fishing in Philadelphia. Speaking of guys who should get traded, or maybe should have never left their last team, I give you Mr. Juan Soto. What's your best memory of your year at the Yankees and playing with Judge? I have so much great memories, man. Like, I have a great time there. We have a great time. We went to the World Series and everything. Yeah, probably celebrating in Cleveland was one of the greatest memories I have. Do you ever miss not playing with Judge? I know you're happy where you are. I mean, I miss, like, that doesn't make sense at all. Celebrating in Cleveland. That is it. That in a nutshell. And I know before Mets fans get angry at me, yes, I am a fan of the Yankees. I will also tell you that I'm good. Juan Soto went to the Mets. Juan Soto's one of the best players in baseball. Juan Soto took the money, which he did, and that's fine, and that's your right, but good for him. Juan Soto's never going to get this. Never going to get this. And he was a Yankee legend, because that's where you make your mark as a Yankee in the postseason. He hit the home run in Cleveland to send the Yankees to the World Series. He could have signed there, and all the pressure is always on Aaron Judge. He picked the Mets. The rest is history.